Conservative group launches $1.7M TV ad against Gretchen Whitmer

FILE - In this April 12, 2018, file photo, Michigan Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gretchen Whitmer speaks with reporters outside the state elections bureau in Lansing, Mich. A political group backing Whitmer launched a $1.8 million, five-week TV ad campaign Tuesday, June 12, 2018, marking the first time she will appeal to viewers before the August primary election. (AP Photo/David Eggert, File)

LANSING (AP) — The conservative group Americans for Prosperity is spending nearly $1.7 million on a TV ad criticizing Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gretchen Whitmer, saying she backed policies of former Gov. Jennifer Granholm and voted for tax increases as a legislator.

The 30-second ad will begin airing Thursday and run for three weeks. Americans for Prosperity is backed by the billionaire Koch brothers.

The ad points to Whitmer’s 2007 votes to raise taxes to address a budget deficit. It’s being released the same week a pro-Whitmer group launched an ad introducing her to voters before August’s primary. (Continued below.)

A Whitmer spokesman said Wednesday the Koch brothers are attacking Whitmer because they know she is the strongest candidate to beat Republican candidate Bill Schuette in November. He says Whitmer repeatedly took on Granholm in Lansing.